Continuous feed paint roller



July 13, 1965 1. a. CASSIDY 3,193,868

CONTINUOUS FEED PAINT ROLLER Filed Aug. 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l EJEIIIIUEIEID DUUUIIIEIEI INVENTOR. EMBEDDED Irwin B. Cossidy ATTOR Y.

y 1965 1. B. CASSIDY 3,193,868

CONTINUOUS FEED PAINT ROLLER Filed Aug. 14, 1962 I 2 sheets-sheet 2 FIG}? United States Patent 3,193,868 (IUNTINUOEB FEED PAINT ROLLER Irwin B. Cassidy, 219 Linden Ave, Westficld, NJ. Filed Aug. 14, 1962, Ser. Ne. 216,852 13 (Jlaims. ((15. 15-553) This invention relates to improvements in a continuous feed paint roller and similar liquid distributing devices.

In the distribution and spreading of liquids on extended surfaces by contact, various types of rollers have been used, most common of which is the immersion type hand operated roller not only for domestic (home) use, but also for the many industrial applications such as buildings, tanks, and other extended wall surfaces.

The method for coating the surface of the roller with the paint, which in turn is applied to the wall surface, is as follows: the operator opens a commercial can of the liquid; pours part of it into an open tray and then rolls the roller through the reservoir of liquid. The operator then squeezes excess liquid from the roller by running it along an inclined apron in the tray adjacent to the liquid reservoir, and he is then ready to apply the roller to the surface to be coated.

Experience has shown the desirabillity of limiting the amount of liquid that is applied to the roller, not only to limit drip and spray, but as a practical matter, to aid in forming a thin uniform coating on the surface being treated. As a result, due to the small amount of paint on the roller, the operator may cover only a relatively small area before it is necessary to re-dip and re-squeeze the roller.

In endeavoring to simplify the supply of liquid to a roller, consideration has been given to the many prior types of portable reservoirs afiixed to the roller and to pressure feed devices. For the most part, the reservoir types heretofore available have been unsuited for overhead liquid applications and in many cases even for vertical surfaces, and invariably they have carried so much liquid and been so heavy as to make them impractical to operate. Other devices such as used on fixed machines can not be adapted to liquid distributors suitable for paint coverage.

The particular object of my invention is to provide a light weight, portable and universal paint distributor having a substantially continuous uniform and controllable supply of paint whereby extended surfaces can be covered in a continuous operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide not only an integrated continuous feed paint spreader but one which simplifies the removal of the entire amount of paint from the container in a clean efficient manner without handling by the operator.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of a preferred form of embodiment of my invention when taken with the drawings attached hereto which are illustrative thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the paint roller.

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the paint roller shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a part of the paint distributing roller.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a part of an alternate surface fora paint distributing roller.-

PEG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an elevation of the associated pressure tank.

FIG. 8 is a detailed cross section of the gasket construction between the tank and its cover.

Patented 51111 13, 1965 The liquid applicator or paint roller generally shown at If in FIGS. 1 to 6 consists primarily of three parts, i.e., the surface contacting roller 12, the supporting frame 14 and the liquid feed roller 16. Accessory members include the handle-tube 18, the hand grip member 20 and the control valve 22. The handle-tube 18, through the valve 22 communicates liquid under pressure from the source through tube 24 to a shallow channel-like reservoir 26 in the supporting frame 14. The rotation of the surface contacting roller 12 in turn drives the liquid feed roller 16, which carries the liquid from the reservoir 26 to the surface contacting roller 12 from which the liquid is then deposited on the surface to be coated.

It is the principal feature of myinvention that the liquid applicator 1%} is normally under pressure through tube 24, which as hereinafter described, extends to a suitable pressurized liquid tank. The utilization of pres sure, even of a relatively small amount such as 1-2 p.s.i.g. in the reservoir 26 will assure a uniform flow of liquid no matter at what lineal speed the roller is moved over a surfam. Furthermore, with the pressure feed on my improved roller, it makes no difference to the operator whether the surface contacting roller is vertical, horizontal, orin any other alignment for I provide a simplified liquid choke to prevent any liquid flow without rotary movement of the surface contacting roller 12.

With reference to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the liquid feed roller 16 is journaled in a rigid housing which i is an extension of the frame 14 and wherein the sides 14a of the housing contact a substantial part of the superficial surface of the liquid feed roller 16. At least two grooves 16a are so covered.

The frame 14 which may be made of molded plastic or a light weight metal such as by die casting has a relatively shallow space 26 extending nearly to the ends of the liquid feed roller 16. This space is connected to the tube 18 supplying liquid to the rollers and thus becomes a reservoir assuring full distribution of liquid along the length of the liquid feed roller 16. This, in turn, assures uniform distribution of liquid on the surface contacting roller 12 due to its rolling contact on the liquid feed roller 16.

On the side of the frame opposite the reservoir 26, the sides 14a of the housing terminate in spaced shields or flanges 14b which engage the periphery of the surface contacting roller 12 and tend to confine the liquid to that roller. With the resulting construction, including the contact of the frame 14- spanning at least two grooves 16a in roller 16, blow through of liquid is completely prevented and only a regulated deposit of liquid on the surface contacting roller 12 will be accomplished as the latter moves due to contact with the surface on which liquid is deposited. Leakage of the liquid (paint) away from the roller surface is thus prevented.

The liquid feed roller 16 may be of the type shown in FIG. 4 in which longitudinal slots or grooves 16a are made in the surface, such grooves 16a thus forming ridges 16b which, in turn, engage the perimeter of the roller 12 and cause the roller 16 to rotate in a semi-geared fashion as will be noted in FIG. 3. Usually, the surface contacting roller 12 is of some soft material such as lambs wool, cotton, or other spongy material which absorbs and expels the liquid (paint) to be applied to the surface.

With the construction as shown in FIG. 4, the slots 16a may extend to the extremity of the roller and then be sealed as by suitable washers at the end. Preferably, however, the slots 16a may be discontinuous at the ends as by suitable milling so that the respective ends of the roller become self sealing against the surface contacting roller 12. The roller 16 may be molded from plastic or other suitable material.

'An alternative surface construction for a liquid feed roller is shown in FIG. 5 in which the surface of the roller 301s provided with a plurality of pockets 3th: which may be square or other closed shape and not interconnected to limit the pickup of liquid. In such case, alternate rows may be staggered'to assure complete coverage of the perimeter of the surface contacting roller 12. This surface may be integral with the roller or, a perforated sleeve separate from an imperforate under roller.

The relative diameter of the roller 12 with respect to the roller 16 is about 2% to l and, in any event, is 1 preferably not in exact multiples one of the other to as sure complete coverage with the liquid to be distributed.

The details of mounting of the respective rollers] in the a frame 14 are shown in FIG. 6, it being appreciated that quick assembly and disassembly of the rollers is essential for 'cleaning after, use. The surface contacting roller 12, for example maybe journaled on ashaft 32 which extends beyond the frame extension 140 and be held in position by spring 34 anchored to extension portion 140 and having an intermediate portion which urges the roller 12 against roller 16. ,This latter roller is journaled on The air passes by way of a flexible tube 64 to the upper part oftank 4.0. A valve 66 will be opened as the tank 40 is pressurizedand closed as adequate pressure is developed.

Liquids carried in container 42 in tank 40 are dispensed by the eifect of the air pressure through the dis-- a charge, pipe 68 which is mounted onqthe cover and is i of suchle'ngth that it extends substantially to the bottom of the liquid container 42. Thisdischarge pipe 68 may have a valve 70 to permit pressurizing the tank without I danger of premature discharge of liquid.' The tube 24 hereinbefore mentionedis connected to the outlet'pipe from valve 70.

The entire unit is conveniently provided with a carrying handle 72 and, if desired, the tank may be provided with a pressure gauge 74 and a relief valve 76. It will be' appreciated that for the usual do-it-yourself Worker, it is essential that the unit be complete, self-contained, inexpensive, foolproof, easily cleaned, readily serviced, easily refilled, light in Weight for portability and above all, positive in operation. 7 I a With the customaryroller of 9" length and with the usual pan containing paint to a depth of preferablyless than /z'the diameter of the roller and lowering, with each dip of theroller the operator covers only a few square feet-before it is' necessary to replenish the roller.

By the time the tray needsreplenishment, there has been expended nearly as much time loading (and wringing out) the roller as there has been in spreading, for, after each supply be uniform. A suitable pressure reservoir unit I for this purpose is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Primarily it consists of a sealed tank 40 which, for usual commercial units, is of a diameter and height to, receive a gallon can 42, or other smaller size of container.- The usual gallon can is approximately 7" in diameter by 7 /2" in height, and in'such case the tank 40 would be about 8' in diameter and 10 in height. Obviously, these dimenunder the control of the operator. 'By using my invenwithstand'a fluid pressure necessary to raise'the liquid to I V the desired height and provide a'pressure of 1-2 p.s.i.g.

at the roller. For the anticipated domestic unit, the.maximum pressure would be about 10 p'.s.i.g. The head 44. is

secured to the chine 46 of the tank40 by a plurality, of quick acting self-locking clamps generally designated at 48. These are clearly shown in FIG. 8 and are pro vided with ear portions 48a having bearing openings: to

receive thetrunnions 50. Thehandle portion 43b is opposite the clamp engaging portion 480, theextremity' I,

. of Which'engages under'the chine 46. The trunnicns 59 are suitably'carried by upturned parts attached .to the V cover.

Spring 52 normallyforces the clamps into tank engaging position. vGasket 54 is a preformed annular ring made. of rubber or'similar material having reenforc- 'ing fabric in thewalls'and steel inserts's 'in the heads,

the edges of the gasket being normally urged into seal ing position with the adjacent surfaces" 44a on the cover and 40b at the top of the tank' due initially to the spring in the walls and later to the air pressure in the container.

Pressure is built up inthe tank by anysuitable means including power driven pumps, etc. However, I find. that a complete commeriafunit is conveniently and practical-1 1y built with an attached handoperated fpump' generally designatedattl; This; will have the typical cylinder in which a piston is 'reciprocated inf the usualmanneras by pump'handle62. The piston is designed with the usual valve (or gasket washer) to drawinair on the upstroke and to discharge air to the' contairier on the down stroke, t

" choke when not rotating.

loading there is such an excess of liquid on the roller that "has'to be squeezed out on the apron of the tray before using. V

In accordance with my invention, the entire can of paint is inserted in the tank, the tank cover clamped on, the tank pressurized and from then on the flow is entirely 'uniformand constant, and the rate of flow is. always tion, the average operator can cover many times as much surface in'the same time with a more uniform coating and will use less paint for a given area than with the usual. hand dipping operation.

It will be understood that the paint roller as shown has a:relatively short han'dletube 18 but that a'hollow tube extension '82, FIG. 2, of a desired length can be screwed .into the handgrip 20 withtheliquid tube 24 passing through it. Such-a construction facilitates operating at relatively long range but makes the unit simple to construct and store. V

While I have shown and described a preferred form of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that modifications will occur tothose familiar with this art and I consider my invention to be limited only by the scope and spirit of the description herein and of the claims appended hereinafter. 1

'Ic'laimzI .1. A pressure feed liquid distributor adapted to be connectedto a source of liquid under superatmospheric pressure, whichcorn'prises a frame, a handle forsaid frame, a

. surface contacting roller mounted for rotation in said frame, 'a' liquid feed roller mounted for rotation in said frame and in contact with said surface contacting roller, said frame having a rigid housingpartially surrounding and in liquid tight contact with the arcuate surface ofsaid liquid'feed roller, saidliquid feed roller having grooves in the surface extending along the length of the surface, and means to supply the liquid under pressure to the surface of the liquid feed'r'oller on the surface opposite the W surface in contact with the surface contacting roller wherep by on rotation of the surface contacting roller the liquid onth'e' liquid feed roller is deposited on the surface contasting roller said liquid feed roller serving as a liquid "2. A pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing" of the frame embraces at Qle ast two grooves on each side of a diameter of the arcuate surface of the liquid feed roller to prevent blow through with a positive liquid pressure on the side opposite the surface roller contacting surface.

3. A pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grooves in the liquid feed roller are discontinuous at the ends of the roller and the surface contacting roller overlaps the ends of the liquid feed roller.

4. A pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 3 wherein the grooves are discontinuous along their length.

5. A pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 4 wherein the grooves are discontinuous around the periphery and in different planes are offset from the grooves in adjacent planes.

6. In a combination with a pressure feed liquid distributor comprising a frame, a surface contacting roller mounted for rotation in said frame, a liquid feed roller mounted for rotation in said frame and in contact with said surface contacting roller, said frame having a rigid housing partially surrounding and in liquid tight contact with the arcuate surface of said liquid feed roller, said liquid feed roller having grooves in the surface extending along its length, a pressurized liquid source, tubular means to connect said source with the liquid feexi roller, said pressurized liquid source including an air compressing means, a pressure limiting device, a tank and a removable cover therefor, said tank being adapted to receive a liquid containing receptacle, said tubular means being adapted, when the tank is closed to extend substantially to the bottom of a liquid containing receptacle positioned therein, whereby when the pressurized liquid source is pressurized the liquid will be discharged through said tubular means, said liquid feed roller, when not rotating, choking the flow of liquid from the pressurized liquid source.

7. The combination of pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 6 wherein the removable cover and the adjacent surface of the tank have cooperating fluid sealing surfaces and a gasket adapted to be placed between and exerting pressure due to inherent spring in contact with the respective surfaces, said gasket having a C shape cross section subjected to internal pressure from within the tank to increase the surface contact with increases in internal pressure.

8. The combination of pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cover is provided with a plurality of clamp members, the extremities of which are adapted to engage the tank.

9. The combination of pressure feed liquid distributor as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cover is provided with a plurality of clamp members, the extremities of which are adapted to engage the tank.

10. An integrated continuous feed paint spreader comprising:

(a) a tank having a removable cover and of a size to receive a commercial size liquid paint package;

(b) a pump and valves interconnected to and commonly mounted with the tank to permit pressuring the tank;

(c) a fluid communicating tube extending into the tank and to the bottom of the paint package;

(d) a band manipulated paint roller assembly including a surface contacting roller, a rigid supporting frame having a handle, and a liquid feed roller in driven connection with said surface contacting roller, both rollers being rotatably mounted in the frame, the liquid feed roller having grooves in the surface extending along its length, said assembly being adapted to be connected to said fluid connecting tube to transfer paint from the tank to the surface contacting roller, a portion of the surface of said liquid feed roller being surrounded by the rigid frame and in liquid tight contact therewith thus preventing flow of paint except on rotation.

11. An integrated continuous feed paint spreader as claimed in claim 10 wherein the liquid feed roller is provided with a multiple series of indentations.

12. An integrated continuous feed paint spreader as claimed in claim 10 wherein the surface contacting roller and the liquid feed roller are removably mounted in the frame.

13. An integrated continuous feed paint spreader-as claimed in claim 10 wherein the frame adjacent the liquid feed roller on the side opposite the surface contacting roller is formed into a shallow longitudinally extending paint receiving reservoir to distribute paint under pressure along substantially the entire length of the liquid feed distributing roller.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 913,189 2/09 Bary 15-573 1,014,618 1/12 Buck 15-573 1,154,419 9/ 15 Lautenschlager 118-262 X 1,215,900 2/1'7 Black et a1. 101-331 2,357,763 9/44 Pratt 15-562 2,393,529 1/46 Harrigan 118-262 2,528,657 11/50 Hobe 15-573 2,536,291 1/51 Kaitul 15-573 2,654,107 10/53 Magoon 15-575 3,030,652 4/62 Whitfield et al. 15-573 3,135,005 6/64 Karkut 15-547 FOREIGN PATENTS 843,007 3/39 France.

878,167 6/53 Germany.

604,158 6/48 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PRESSURE FEED LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TO A SOURCE OF LIQUID UNDER SUPERATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, WHICH COMPRISES A FRAME, A HANDLE FOR SAID FRAME, A SURFACE CONTACTING ROLLER MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN SAID FRAME, A LIQUID FEED ROLLER MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN SAID FRAME AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID SURFACE CONTACTING ROLLER, SAID FRAME HAVING A RIGID HOUSING PARTIALLY SURROUNDING AND IN LIQUID TIGHT CONTACT WITH THE ARCUATE SURFACE OF SAID LIQUID FEED ROLLER, SAID LIQUID FEED ROLLER HAVING GROOVES IN THE SURFACE EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE SURFACE, AND MEANS TO SUPPLY THE LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE TO THE SURFACE OF THE LIQUID FEED ROLLER ON THE SURFACE OPPOSITE THE SURFACE IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE CONTACTING ROLLER WHEREBY ON ROTATION OF THE SURFACE CONTACTING ROLLER THE LIQUID ON THE LIQUID FEED ROLLER IS DEPOSITED ON THE SURFACE CONTACTING ROLLER, SAID LIQUID FEED ROLLER SERVING AS A LIQUID CHOKE WHEN NOT ROTATING. 